Prtective groove dictating apparatus



Feb. 5, 1952 E. P. JOHNSON ETAL PROTECTIVE GROOVE DICTATING APPARATUS .3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 51, 1947.

w NV mww M m3 fi VhR w J PM l I 4 l I I l I I I I I I I lllll Patented Feb. 5, 1952 PROTECTIVE GROOVE DICTATING APPARATUS Edward P. Johnson, West Haven, and Frank E.

Runge, Branford, Conn.,

assignors to The Soundscriber Corporation, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application December 31, 1947, Serial No. 794,880

vide means operated by the turning of the selector control knob to recording" position for lowering the recording head upon the record and simultaneously to start the turntable motor so as to automatically provide the record with about one complete circular blank groove prior to-each dictated area.

A further object is to provide a device of the above nature in which the protective blank groove may be automatically produced by either a mechanical or an electrical time-delay apparatus, whenever the recording stylus is lowered to the record.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the above nature which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact, ornamental in appearance, and very eflicient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, there havebeen illstrated on the accompanying drawings several forms in which the invention may conveniently be embodied in practice.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 represents a fragmentary side sectional view, partly schematic, of a phonographic dictating machine, showing a mechanical cam-operated time-delay apparatus installed therein.

Fig-1 '2 is a vertical front view, partly in section, of the'mechanical time-delay apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the turntable of a recording and reproducing apparatus upon which this invention may be installed-the recordingand playback arms being shown in their operating relationship on opposite sides of a turntable spindle.

Fig. 4 is an electrical diagram showing a main switch for controlling the normal operation of the turntable motor, and an auxiliary switch for causing the preliminary rotation of the turntable to produce a blank protective groove on the record.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits of one form of an electrically-timed system for pro- "circuits of a modified form of an electrically- 7 Claims. (Cl. 274-1) timed system for producing the blank protective groove by means of a single coil relay, a capacitor, and a pair of resistors.

(Fig. 7 is a similar diagrammatic view of the circuits of another modified form of electricallytimed system similar to Fig. 5, using a capacitor and only a single resistor. l

In the recording of dictation upon a phonograph record, it has been found'that unless the dictator delays a few seconds at the start of each newly recorded section to-allow the recording stylus to generate a blank groove of some length, one or more words may belost in transcription. This is particularly true with disk records operated at a low speed, where each groove contains several words. Hence, it is desirable that the dictator should permit the recording head to emboss a complete blank protective groove before each dictating period.

With prior forms of dictating machines, this time delay required a conscious effort on the part of the dictator, and it is one object of the present invention to produce the protective groove automatically by means of a time-controlled switch associated with the talk-listen control lever, so that when the recording head is lowered to the record, the motor will automatically rotate the turntable about one full revolution, and will then automatically stop-thus preparing the record for further dictation without loss of words.

--Mechanical time-delay apparatus Referring'now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral III indicates a cam mounted ona horizontal elongatend of a cylindrical lifter shaft I 4 having an upper cross bar l5, said lifter I4 being surrounded by a guid sleeve it formed integral with a motor board I1.

Provision is also made of the usual pivotallymounted recording arm 18 which is connected by means of a vertically flexible hinge l9 to a rear supporting member 20 driven at constant the motor board I] and a cabinet fioor 31. vision is also made of a depending screw 34 Speed by means of a vertical shaft 2I, an inclined lifting handle 4I being provided upon the forward end of the arm I8. The grooves on the record disk 23 are produced by means of a ballpointed recording stylus 22 carried by' a record ing heafd pivotally mounted at 40 within the forward part of the recording arm I 8.-

Mounted on the cam shaft II is an arm 24 which is pivotally connected. by a pin 24a to a dashpot cylinder 25 provided with an interior air chamber 26, within which is located a piston 21 connected to an auxiliary timing switch 28 of the double-pole single-throw type.

A coiled spring 29 is provided'within the casing of the switch 28, and serves to exert a constant pressure upon the piston 21, causing the air in said chamber 26 to slowly escape through an adjustable aperture 30 in a depending tubular bleed valve 30a, at a speed which'is controlled by a screw 3% mounted in said bleed valve.

The numeral '32 indicates amanually-operated talk-listen selector control knob rigidly con- "neared to the cam shaft I I as by a set screw 32a The numeral 3I indicates the playback (Fig; 1). arm whichis similar to the recording arm I8.

Provision is also made of a U-shaped guide bracket 33 having horizontalsections for embracing a vertical "guide pin rigidly secured to Prowhich passes through the upper arm of the guide bracket 33 to which it is secured by a nut 34a,

said nut being adjustable to permit variation in the height to which the recording arm I8 will be raised by the cam I0.

A coiled spring 35a is located between the upper horizontal "portion of the guide bracket 33 and the'motor board I! and presses said bracket downwardly effectively maintaining the adjustment'of the screw 34.

A turntable motor 36 (Fig. 4) is connected by means of conductors 44, 45 to the fixed terminal contacts of a main motor switch 36a also of the double-pole single-throw type.

The numeral'38 indicates an adjustable vertical screw by means of which the recording arm I8 ma be adjusted with respect to a shelf 43 on the rear support member 20;

A horizontal stop pin 42 is provided on the rear of the recording head 39-said .pin 42 being located within a slot 39a of the recording arm I8 to limit the downward movement of the recording head 39, as will be understood.

A pair of conductors 46, 41 serve to connect the movable contacts of the mainswitch 36a to a :cordinghead stylus 22 fromthe record 23. When the operator is through listening to theplayback of the record by means of the reproducer arm 3|,

and desires to again record thereon, the knob 32 will be turnedin the reverse direction to the talk position, whereupon the recording arm I8 will-be lowered'to the record by reason of the reversal of the motion of the cam II), the roller I2, and the shaft I4.

During this reverse motion, the selector cam shaft I I will be swung clockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, causing the dashpot cylinder 25 to move to the right, forcing-the piston 21 to also move to the right by the. pressure of the air'in the chamber 25, against the spring 29-thus causing the auxiliary timing switch 28 to close.

The switch 28 will be held closed until the air entrapped in the dashpot cylinder 25 is forced out of said cylinder through the bleed valve aperture 3|],by the movement of the piston 21 to the left under the influence of the spring 29. The screw 3% should be'so adjusted as to cause the motor 35 to drive the turntable about one revolution at each operation of the dashpot timer, and thus emboss a blank protective groove upon the rec- "ord23.

At the end of the left hand stroke of the piston 21, the auxiliary switch 28 will open, stopping the turntable motor 35, and the record 23. The-machine will now be ready for normal dictation, whenever the main dictation switch 361; is next closed by the operator.

The record will thus be prefaced by a protective groove at the beginning of all dictating periods.

Electrical time-delay apparatus-form '1 Fig. 5 discloses'a diagrammatic view ofthe circuit of the first form of electrical timer'system for controlling the embossing of a blank protective groove upon the record prior to each dictating period-said circuit including a capacitor and a pair of resistors.

Referring to the letters shown on Fig. 5, K indicates a relay actuator havingtwo coil sections L1 and L2; S a main switch; S1 -a remote motor control switch; $2 a built --in motor control switch; S3 a listen-talk .selector switch which also lowers the cutting head to the disk in the talk position; and S is a relay-actuated switch to control the motor. M is a motor which drives the turntable; V is a rectifier, preferably a of the vacuum tube-type; C is a filter capacitor;

C1 a timing capacitor; and R1- and R2 are a pair of resistors. The resistor R1 has a low resistance for permitting quick discharge of the capacitor C1 when the switch S3 is in a position where the movable contact 18 engages the fixed contact I9 -(i. e. in playback position). The resistor R2 has a high resistance which together with the resistance of L2 is the major factor in determining the charging rate of the capacitor C1, and thus controls the timethe protective groove circuit will remain closed.

Referring now to they numerals indicated on Fig. '5, 53,354 indicate a pair of line conductors from a sourcecf A. C.,,55, 56 indicate the movable contacts of the switch s, while 51, 58 indi cate the fixed contacts .of said switch S, which is made in two sections. The movable contacts 55, 56 are connected together by -a mechanical connector56a.

1'59 indicatesaconductor leading from the fixed contact 51 of the switch ,-'S to the rectifier V. The motor M is connected by a wire 68 to the wire 59 and mechanically geared to the turntable (not shown). The motor control switch S4 has a 'movable magnetic contact 'EI and a fixed contact {Ha-the latter being connected by a wire 6Ib to the fixed contact 58 of the switch S.

An electron tube amplifier 66 is connected by a wire '61 to the wire 59. The switch S1 has-a the cutting head onto the turntable movable contact 68 which is connected to a fixed contact II of the switch S2, which has a movable contact III.

The wire BI b is connected by a wire I2 to fixed contact 69 of the switch S. The movable contact III of the switch S2 is connected by a wire I3 to the coil section L1 of the relay actuator K. The actuator K has a center tap I4 which is connected by a wire I5 to a junction a between the rectifier V and the filter capacitor C. The

able contact I8 is connected by a wire 83 to the capacitor C1, which is also connected by a wire 84 to the coil section L2 of the relay actuator K. The wire 84 is connected by a wire 85 to the resistor R1. The high value resistor R2 connects the wires 82 and 83, as shown.

In the operation of this form of the invention, when the switch S is closed, the amplifier tubes will rapidly warm up in the usual manner. In the normal use of therecording apparatus, when the remote motor switch S1 switch S2 are both closed, current will flow in the coil L1 of the relay actuator K, the core of which will become magnetized closing the motor switch S4, thus starting the motor M into operation, which in turn drives the turntable.

A protective groove will be produced automatically when either or both of the switches S1, S2 are open, and the selector switch S3 has been turned from listen to talk (i. e. from I9 to 80). Turning the switch S3 also lowers (not shown). The capacitor C1 will thus be charged and the surge of current passing through the coil section L2 will close the relay switch S4. When the cutting head has been lowered to rotate the turntable, the motor M will operate until the capacitor C1 is fully charged. Current will then cease to flow through thecoil section L2 of the switch actuator .K, permitting ,the motor switch S4 to open and stop the motor M after about one revolution of the turntable-- thus embossing the desired protective blank groove upon the record. u

The time constant of the timer circuit of Fig. 5 is determined by the values of the resistor R2, the capacitor C1, and the resistance of the coil section L2.

Electrical time-delay apparatus--form 2 In the circuit diagram disclosed in Fig. 6, the letter K indicates a switch actuator having a single relay coil L. S is the main power switch; S1 a remote control switch; S2 is a built-in motor control switch; S2 is a section ,of the talk-listen selector switch used to char e a capacitor C1; S4 is a relay switch energized by the actuator coil L and used to control the record motor M; C is a filter condenser; V is a rectifier; and A is an amplifier. I

The letter R indicates a low value current limiting resistor to protect the, contacts of the switch S. The letter R1 indicates a high value resistor, which in conjunctionwith the capacitor C1 and resistance of the coil L produce the de- ..sired time delay in the.v circuit in order tdiorm and the motor.

. onto the turntable.)

6 the protective groove preceding each dictating period.

Power is supplied from a source of A. C. by means of a pair of line wires III), III connected to the movable contacts H2, H3 of the main switch S-said movable contacts being joined by a mechanical connector I I3a.

The switch S also has a pair of fixed contacts H4, II5the contact H4 being connected by wires H6 and I32 to the rectifier V. The wire H6 is connected by a wire III to the motor M. The switch S1 is provided with a movable contact H8 which swings between a pair of fixed contacts I I9, I20. The switch S2 is provided with a movable contact I2I which swings between the fixed contacts I22, I22a.

The selector switch S3 is provided with a movable contact I23 and a fixed intermediate charging contact I24 located between a listen contact I24a and a talk contact I24b. The switch S4 has a magnetic movable contact I25 and a fixed contact I26.

The fixed contact II5 of the main switch Sis connected by a wire I to a wire I48 leading from the fixed contact I22 of the switch S2 to the movable contact I25 of the switch S4. The motor M is connected by a wire I3I to the fixed contact I23 of the switch S4, and is mechanically geared to the turntable (not shown). The wire I32 is connected to the amplifier A by means of a conductor I33a. The rectifier V is connected by the wire I33 to the wire I32.

The wire I30 is connected by a wire I34 to the amplifier A, and the rectifier V is connected by a wire I35 to the filter condenser C. The wire I35 is also connected by a wire I36 to the coil L of the relay actuator K, while the wire I36 is also connected by a wire I3'I to the amplifier A.

A wire I38 serves to connect the fixed contact H9 of the switch S1 to the fixed contact I22a of the switch S2, while a wire I39 connects the wire I38 to the capacitor C1 which is also connected to the wire I36 by a wire I42.

A fixed contact I20 of the switch S1 is connected by a wire I40 to the movable contact I2I of the switch S2. The movable contact II 8 of the switch S1 is connected by a wire I4I to the coil L. A wire I43 connects the wire I4! to the movable contact I23 of the switch S3.

Also, a wire I44 connects the movable contact I23 of the switch S3 to the resistor R, and a wire I45 connects the fixed contact I24 of said switch S2 to a resistor R1. A wire I46 connects the resistor R1 to the resistor R, and the wire I41 connects the movable contact I25 of the relay switch S4 to the resistor R1, which is also connected by the wire I48 to the wire I30.

In the normal operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, when the amplifier switch is turned on, and the tubes have been allowed to warm up, the remote control switch S1 and the switch S2 will be both closed, as shown in Fig. 6, causing the actuator K to be energized. The motor switch S4 will thus .be closed and the turntable will rotate for normal recording.

A protective groove will be produced automatically when either or both of the switches S1, S2 are open, and it will only be necessary to connect the capacitor C1 across the single coil L of the actuator K. This will be accomplished by swinging the movable selector switch contact I23 from the listen contact I24a to the talk contact I24b. (This also lowers the cutting head During the instant that the contact "23 passes over the fixed contact I24, the coil L of the actuator K will be energized and the capacitor charged, This will close the motor switch S4, which will remain closed, and the turntable will rotate until the charge in the capacitor C1 has leaked slowly through the resistor R1 and the coil L. The time that the switch S4. remains closed and the turntable motor running will be determined by the values of the ation of turning the selector switch from listen to talk lowers the recording head upon the disk and causes the desired length of blank groove to be embossed thereon preceding each dictating period.

Electrical time-delay apparatus-form 3 In the modified electrical time delay circuit shown in Fig. 7, the: letter M indicates a turntable motor; V a rectifier connected to the output of an amplifier A, C a filter condenser, and K is a relay actuator comprising two coil sections L1 and 12. C1 is a relay-holdin capacitor, which serves to energize the coil section L2, the windings L1 and L2 being so wired as to neutralize each other magnetically when both are activated; S is a power supply switch; S1 is a remote control switch; and S2 is another remote control switch in series with S1.

S3 is a talk-listen selector switch; and S4 is a relay motor control switch. R indicates a resistor which cooperates with the capacitor C1 in determining the time that the relay switch S4 will remain closed.

A. C. power is supplied from a pair of line wires 208, 209 to a pair of movable contacts 2.10, 2 of the switch S, which also has a pair of fixed contacts 212, 213. The movable contacts 2H3, 2 are joined to swing in unison by a mechanical connector 2H3. The remote control switch S1 is provided with a pair or" movable contacts 215, 2l6 joined by a mechanical connector 2H), and being adapted to engage a pair of fixed contacts 2H, 2l8. The remote control switch S2 is provided with a pair of movable contacts 228, Ml joined by a mechanical connector 225, and adapted to engage a pair of fixed contacts 222, 223.

The selector switch S3 is provided with a movable contact 225 which is adapted to swing over a stationary charging contact 226 when moved from the listen position 22311 to the talk position 22%. This also lowers the cutting head .onto the turntable. The switch S4 is provided with a movable magnetic contact 22? adapted to The wire 232 is also connected by a wire 236. to the amplifier A, which in turn is connected by a wire 231 to the wire 233.

The rectifier V iisconnected by :a wire 2381to thefilter condenser (3', which is connected by Ea wire 239 to the Wire 233.

The wire 238 isalso connected by a wire 2 to a center tap 24.0 of :the relay actuator K-'- said wire 24! also ":being connected by a wire 1242 to the amplifier ,A.

The win 233 is also connected by a wire 243 to both of the :movable contacts 2 I 5 and 216 of the switchsi.

' The :fixed contacts 2H, 8 of the switch S1 are connected by .a pair'of conductors 245, 243 itothe movable contacts 220 and 22l, respectively .of the SWitchlSz. Theqfixedcontact 222 of the switch S2 is connected by a wire 26-? to the resistor R; while the fixed. contact 223 of said switch S2 is connected by a conductor 248 to the coil L1.

The resistor R is connected bya wire 249 to the fixed contact 226 in the switch S2; and a wire 253 connects the movable contact 225. of said switch to the coil L2.

A wire 25I connects the wire 22! to the capacitor C1, the latter being connected by a wire 252 to the wire 250.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, when the amplifier switch is turned on, the electron tubes will be allowed to warm up to ,place the machine in condition for use. Now, when 'the'switches Stand S2 are open, the coil L1 of the switch actuator K will be idle and the motor switch S2 will be held closed by the spring 221a and the mot-or M will rotate the turntable (not shown). When the switches S1, S2 are manually closed, the circuit of the coil L2 of the switch actuator K'will be completed, energizing the coil L2, opening the switch S4 which will stop the motor M and the turntable.

Now when the selector switch S2 is turnedifrom listen to talk, the capacitor C1 will'be charged during the instant that the movable contact 225 engages the fixed contact 226. This will momentarily energize the coil L2 of the switch actuator K and since the coils L1 and L2 are so wired as to oppose each other magnetically, the magnetic pull of the switch actuator will be neutralized, allowing the spring to close the motor switch S4 and hold it closed until the capacitor C1 discharges and permits the coil L1 to again take over and open said SwitchSr.

It will be understood that the time that the motor switch S4 remains closed will be dependent upon the values .of the capacitor C1 and the resistor R, and to some degree on the resistance of the coil L2, which values are 'So chosen as to cause about one complete revolution of the turntable to take place.

It will also be understood that the turning of the selector switch S3, from listen to talk will lower the cutting head upon the disk record and that a complete blank groove will be embossed thereon during the time that the capacitor C1 retains enough charge to keep the switch S4 closed.

While the invention has been herein disclosed as applied to a disk record, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to such use, but may be applied to cylindrical or other forms of records within its spirit and scope.

While there has been disclosed in this specification four forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosures, but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. In an apparatus for producing a blank proective groove upon a phonographic record prior to the recorded section thereof, a groove-forming mechanism, means for placing said mechanism in operating condition comprising a talk lever, a record-driving motor, a motor control switch, a time-controlled means independent of said record-driving motor, means responsive to the swinging of said lever to talk position to close said switch for a predetermined time interval, and start said motor and set said time control means into operation, and means responsive to record, a motor for driving said record, a recording head for selectively engaging said record, a motor control switch, a vertical shaft for initially holding said recording head raised above said record, a lever-operated cam for supporting said shaft, and a dash pot mechanism initiated by the swinging of said cam for temporarily closing said switch and lowering said shaft and recording head upon said record, and time-responsive means to automatically thereafter produce a short blank protective groove upon said record prior to the recording of regular dictation. 5. The invention as defined in claim 1, in which mechanism, means for placing said mechanism in operating condition comprising a talk lever,

electrically-controlled record-driving means, a switch to control said driving means, a timecontrolled means independent of said recorddriving means, means responsive to the swinging of said lever to talk position to close said switch for a predetermined time interval to start said record-driving means and set said time-controlled means into operation, and means responsive to said time-controlled means to stop said record-driving means after the lapse of a predetermined period of time.

EDWARD P. JOHNSON. FRANK E. RUNGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,820,154 Peets Aug. 25, 1931 1,930,286 Runyan Oct. 10, 1933' 2,029,119 Richardson et a1. Jan. 28, 1936 2,098,216 Andres Nov. 9, 1937 2,144,566 Dreisbach Jan. 17, 1939 

